SUNDAY 27TH AUGUST 2017

TOPIC: WHEN GOD CALLS YOU (2)
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 12:6 “And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all…”

Skilled potters recognise that when they press clay it presses back, giving them an indication of what it can and cannot become. Amateur potters often lack that discernment – and the end work proves it. When you don’t honour your raw material, reality becomes your enemy. The word vocation comes from the Latin word for ‘voice’. Discovering your calling involves listening very carefully. If you close your ears and pursue something you’re neither called nor equipped to do, you’ll end up living with anxiety that whispers, ‘You’re trying to do something God didn’t tell you to do.’ The courage to acknowledge what you’re not brings great freedom; the lack of it imprisons you. Here is a writer’s contribution, ‘You cannot choose your calling; you must let your life speak.’ Perhaps you were created to learn, and in so doing benefit from others. If you are, you’ll find yourself drawn to reading, reflecting, writing, and teaching.
However, if you’re convinced (or allow others to convince you) that you must be a corporate success in order for your life to count, you’ll always be going against the grain of your life. Instead, learn to ride the horse in the direction it’s going. This truth is so apt that we need to note it. We are reminded to acknowledge on time our gifts and calling; our gifts and calling are without repentance. Scriptures in the Book of Ephesians 4:7 cap this topic of encouragement. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” We sincerely look forward to the commendation: ‘Well done … good and faithful servant’ (Matt 25:21), that God promised to those who hear His call, accept it, and devote their lives to fulfilling it.

MEDITATION: Rom 11:29, Eph. 4:1

BIBLE STUDY
1 Sam. 19, 1Cor. 1, Lam. 4, Ps. 35